Born into wealth and privilege, Colin Sinclair was raised on the knowledge that money could buy anything and everyone had a price. Trouble was no trouble at all, not when the money was there to sweep it under the rug. But those lessons, learned at the knee of his father, were going to be challenged in a way that would change Colin forever.
In middle class suburbia, Arnaud Dechene learned the value of hard work, focus, and dedication to a dream. He was well on his way to achieving it, the role of Premier, when he catches Colin’s eye. Rich snobs didn’t usually do it for him, but there was something about Colin that made him impossible to resist.
Despite being opposites in every way, falling into a relationship was surprisingly—and deceptively—easy, but Arnaud never lost sight of his dream and Colin had trouble accepting that he was second place to anything. When a stupid argument leads to a reckless act, the repercussions leave Arnaud fighting for his life and Colin paying with his own.
With a little meddling from an aging schemer and intentions that are more well-meaning than realistic, their paths will cross again. However, Colin and Arnaud aren’t the same men who loved with abandon. They are older and wiser, with a history that might be too big to overcome.
Fans of the series know revenge is a double-edged sword, forgiveness doesn’t always come easy, and forgetting is damn near impossible. But love…well, that may just conquer all.

Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I’d begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: To be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With three series in the works and counting, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics and happily ever after. I’m a lover of strong secondary characters and series filled with families, biological or chosen. All are themes you’ll find throughout my books.

TWO CHANCES TO WIN

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Yet another fantastic addition to the Sizzling Miami series. Just when I think I’ve read the best novel within the best series, it just keeps getting better and better! Jessie G has an absolute hit with the series as a whole, but each individual novel within the series takes us, the reader, to new heights. In this instance, we are emotionally undone from Colin’s self flagellation.

Colin and Arnaud met young and fell hard. Totally opposite in dreams, desires, family, social class, and upbringing. They were an odd pairing but scoffed in the face of anyone who didn’t see their absolute love for each other.

Arnaud was working hard to be the best dancer he could be. His dream of traveling with a prestigious company one day was his driving force. Colin was content being with Arnaud, supporting him and learning business, as his upper crust father demanded of him. Going to school, working himself every minute of everyday to eventually be able to tend to Arnaud’s every need, and show his support was Colin’s main goal. Wealth allotted Colin a lot of opportunities and he was going to set himself in to the right position so he could spend his time with Arnaud.

That’s until everything goes completely wrong and their lives are forever changed. Ripped apart from each other and, as far as Colin is concerned, never to cross paths again.

Colin has such guilt and remorse over the event from years prior. He cannot see past what happened and move forward. He feels it is his life’s work to be miserable. To never feel joy. To never be loved. To never feel one ounce of happiness. He should always live with the knowledge and guilt of that one life changing event. He should always be miserable and just existing. This is Colin’s mindset. How can anyone reach through that wall of burden and make a good man see he has paid the price and deserves more?

Arnaud is determined to be in Colin’s life again and be the one, with the help of Colin’s friends, to make him see that he is worthy of so much more. Together they can be what they once were and maybe even better.

This is quite the emotional journey. Colin is so sweet and gentle. He broke my heart repeatedly. Arnaud was always a bright spot. Well adjusted and driven, he knew what he wanted, Colin, and wasn’t about to give up on getting him back.

The support system from Saul, Bull, Red, Chris, and Owen were perfection. These guys have been through a lot. They’ve made their own family through adversity and hardship using pure strength of will and character. It’s always joyous seeing the guys band together for each other. It’s also a treat to revisit favorite couples from past novels in the series.

In art and in love, it s the rough edges that make things interesting.

Having grown up with artistic implements always in hand, there’s almost nothing Austin can’t make real. Except for one thing—an official relationship with his best friend, rowing teammate and occasional hookup, Vinnie.

The combination of emotional and sexual frustration fuels a spark between Austin and the nude model in his drawing class. Austin isn’t used to having trouble focusing; models are merely challenging subjects to be rendered on paper. But the geology TA’s direct blue gaze is powerful enough to drag Austin’s focus away from his physique.

After a quick and very dirty post-class encounter, all the reasons that Austin has been waiting for his best friend go fuzzy in his mind. Sean is nothing like Vinnie. Sean is persistent, pays attention, and makes it clear he wants to be together.

But if Austin can’t get his head and his heart on the same page, he could lose his friend, or his lover. Or both.

Warning: Contains rock geeks, tent sex, a dictatorial cox whose idea of a good time is drawing naked dudes, plus one naked dude who wants to be more than a good time.

Our thoughts:

Sometimes the sweet, easy stories can really satisfy. Love Me Like a Rock is a perfect mix of opposites attract, easy love and low angst. I’m not a fan of angst, so it was just right for me. Happy from start to finish!

Austin is a an art student at University. He’s a bit quirky. Always lost in his art projects and not really taking too much seriously. At least that’s what all his friends think. Deep inside, Austin has a lot of thoughts and feelings he never let’s loose because he’d rather just go with the flow. That’s how he became a causal hook-up for his best friend, Vinnie. Years of waiting around for Vinnie to express that he wanted or needed from Austin and it never happens.

Austin’s in a model sketching session when he is consumed by the model. Feelings he can’t quite turn off bombard him and it becomes obvious the same is happening to the model, Sean. So begins a whirlwind of lustful adventures for Sean and Austin. Good dating intentions are thwarted by hormones many times over! All the years needing attention from Vinnie and now Austin has Sean’s undivided attention.

Austin discovers a life outside of his rowing team and art. His small circle of friends grows with Sean’s geologist crew. Yes, geologist! Some of the best moments are when Austin is experiencing camping and a new outlook on nature with Sean. Sean is the ultimate boyfriend, attentive and caring. He likes Austin for who he is with full acceptance. He’s also patient enough to let Austin discover what he wants and needs from Sean in their relationship.

I found these two to be sensitive but not sappy. Loving yet passionate and sensual. Eager yet relaxed with each other. They have their moment of misunderstanding but it’s worked through and they move on and become stronger. It’s nice to read a fun, sweet couple!

RATING: BAD ASS BOOTS!!

Hard Candy (Bend or Break #7) by Amy Jo Cousins

Released 22 March 2016

Published by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Categories: MM Romance, Contemporary

Blurb:

How to get over someone? Get under someone else—as soon as possible.

Vincent Lim always assumed his best friend (and occasional hookup) Austin would be waiting for him—that eventually they’d end up together. But now that Austin’s in love with another man, Vinnie is at a loss.

After the world’s most awkward one-night stand with a dance major, Vinnie knows the drill. Minimize the embarrassment by pretending they’ve never met. Yet Bryan’s vibrant spirit and calm center lure Vinnie like a shelter from an emotional storm.

But Vinnie’s thrown off his game by the rest of Bryan’s total package. Vinnie’s a rowing jock with a single-minded focus on living up to his parents’ academic and social expectations. Bryan might as well be outfitted with glittery butterfly wings—with plenty of pride to match. Vinnie’s haphazard attention to a lover won’t cut it this time.

Physically, they can match each other stroke for booty pop. But for the lovers to meet on common ground, they’ll have to find a way to get moving in the same direction.

Warning: Contains one uptight rower, a dancer who can rock a skirt like nobody’s business, yoga lessons, and the benefits of being very bendy.

Our thoughts:

After knowing so much about Vinnie through Austin in Love Like a Rock, I was anxious to see how Amy Jo Cousins would redeem him. Redeem? Yes. Vinnie’s wound tight and a user. Maybe a tyrant would be an accurate description. Actually, those are a bit harsh, but not far off the mark.

Vinnie was fine with using Austin for release once his stress had built up enough during a paper or leading into an important exam. He’d get drunk and then pull Austin into his bed, letting Austin lead from there. Vinnie would get his release and Austin was left hanging on, wondering if Vinnie would ever want more, even a real relationship. Vinnie overstepped their friendship and then would back off, time and time again.

One night Austin isn’t willing to be the stress relief. He has Sean and Vinnie is on his own. That leads to Vinnie in Bryan’s bed, sick from over indulging. Bryan is sweet and kind to Vinnie. He seems to actually care about him and the state he’s in. Vinnie is just mortified. Those small sentiments and kindnesses worm into Vinnie’s psyche and won’t pull back. Bryan has consumed Vinnie’s every thought and he can’t resist seeking him out.

Bryan is tall, lean and in dancer shape. Beautiful and charming. A very no-nonsense personality who’s very straightforward. Bryan doesn’t have time for song and dance. He also isn’t going to deal with not being a priority. All this scares Vinnie a little but he also likes those qualities in Bryan. He is who he is and isn’t willing to change, Vinnie could learn something about bravery from him.

Bryan’s peacefulness and touches are healing for Vinnie. He’s never felt so much before and he knows he’s falling for Bryan. He just has to work through his hang ups before Bryan gets fed up and walks away for good.

I really enjoy Austin’s companion novel and worried I wouldn’t like Vinnie’s story as much. Wrong! So wrong! He shows growth and courage. He’s willing to fix his shortcomings and never once intentionally hurts Bryan. Pleasantly unexpected! Vinnie was suffering more than we knew and Bryan is the perfect one to soothe him mind, body and soul. Bryan is all kinds of wonderful.